We are thrilled to be kicking off the second year of the New England Council Fellows Program. Below please find important information about the program and key dates.
Announcing our 2026 Fellows
We ask that each of our 2026 Fellows complete this brief biographical form and submit a photo that we can use to announce our 2026 Fellows on our website and social media.
LinkedIn Group
NEC Fellows and representatives of their host organizations are invited to join a LinkedIn Group established specifically for those who have participated in the program. The LinkedIn Group is a great way to stay in touch with other past and present fellows and host organizations, as well as NEC and members of the NEC Fellowship Advisory Committee.
KEY DATES
NEC Fellows 2026 Kick-Off (Virtual)
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
NEC Fellows and their supervisors are invited to join us for a virtual program kick-off. This session will provide fellows and their supervisors with an opportunity to meet one another and the NEC team. Guests will also hear from Council staff on what to expect in the coming months, and from several of our 2025 fellows about their experiences.
Lunch & Learn #1: Non-Profit Advocacy & Government Relations
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
NEC Fellows are invited to a virtual “Lunch & Learn” session to learn more about advocacy and government relations for non-profit organizations. Our presenters will be:
- Graham Shalgian, Partner, Rasky Partners
- Maura Sullivan, CEO, The Arc of Massachusetts
Lunch & Learn #2: Non-Profit Communications
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
NEC Fellows are invited to a virtual “Lunch & Learn” session to learn more about communications for non-profit organizations, including media relations as well as social media and digital strategy. Our presenter will be:
- Sandy Lish, Principal/Co-Founder, The Castle Group
End-of-Summer Luncheon
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
The Hampshire House – Boston, MA
NEC Fellows and their supervisors are invited to an in-person luncheon in Boston to celebrate the conclusion of the 2026 NEC Fellows program. Meet other fellows and host organization, and network with NEC Staff, Fellowship Advisory Committee Members, and other NEC Board Members. Fellows will also have the opportunity to have a professional headshot taken by a professional photographer.
Reflection Essay
Each New England Council fellow is asked to submit a reflection essay of no more than 700 words at the end of the summer. The essay should cover the following:
- Introduce yourself – name, hometown, school, major, and briefly describe your career interests/goals
- What sparked your interest in working for the host organization?
- Overview of your fellowship – What did your responsibilities include? What were the highlights of your experience?
- What kinds of skills did you develop during your fellowship?
- How did this fellowship impact your academic or career goals?
Essays will be shared with the New England Council Board of Directors, and quotes from the essays may be used to promote the fellowship program in the future.
Please email your essay to eheisig@newenglandcouncil.com by Friday, September 4, 2026.